Meet the Bees

Experience the wonder of bees, opening a hive, and observing the complex colony. This is a great opportunity for deciding if beekeeping is for you. The session provides a honey tasting and discussion. Courses are weather dependent to suit the bees. All sessions have equipment supplied. Small class numbers. $65 for 1.5 hour session The Firthside Apiary, Kingston Bookings essential. Sunday 19 Jan 2025 Meet the Bees 10am (6 places) > book me in at our Shop

Beginner Bees

Want to get started in beekeeping? Beginner Bees provides a mix of theory and practice to help you choose the best beekeeping style for you and your bees. These classes are in high demand so book early. Learn where to locate the hive, how to inspect and work positively with bees. Learn the essentials to ensure your bees stay alive and thrive through the seasons. Winter Beg Bee classes are a perfect time to get started on your journey online before Spring. You can decide on a hive type, have it set up for bees by September/October, complete a practical session at the hive by Oct/November and have bees as early as possible. The Firthside Apiary, Kingston $290.00

Sept Winter Beg Bees Sat 6 & Sat 13 Sept 2025 9.30-12N, online session Practical Session for Winter Bee participants Sat 26 October 10.30-12.30 or another date by arrangement (5 places left)
Fri 17 October 2025, 9.30-4.30 (sold out)
Sat 18 October 2025, 9.30-4.30 (4 places left)
Fri 7 Nov 2025, 9.30-4.30 (5 places left)
Sat 8 Nov 2025, 9.30-4.30
Fri 21 Nov 2025, 9.30-4.30
Sat 22 Nov 2025, 9.30-4.30
Fri 28 Nov 2025, 9.30-4.30
Sat 29 Nov 2025, 9.30-4.30 Book me in at the shop

Lazutin Hive Field Session

Practical Session at the Lazutin Hive : Here is a chance for anyone interested in Lazutin/ Layens hives to come and visit for a hive opening.. Explore the benefits to bees and keepers of this hive in our Tasmanian conditions. $50

Sth Saturday 15 November 2025 10-12N @ Firthside Apiary Tasmania Bookings Essential $50 Book Here

Nth Saturday 17 January 2026 10-12N @ Port Sorell Bookings Essential $50 Book Here

Intermediate and Advanced Classes

These short courses are for those that have completed a Beginner Bees Course and want further learning to boost their confidence in working with their bees. This season the courses will be online.

Advanced Bee: For beekeepers that want further learning to boost their confidence in working with their bees. ONLINE ONLY. This 2 hour session will look at colony construction, how it appears on frames, how to read the colony from what is seen on frames, spring maintenance, brood inspections, time for discussion, and much more. $60

Saturday 12 October 2024 10-12N (closed) Book an online place

MASTERCLASS on SWARMING where I will teach everything I know about swarming and its related topics. Recognise swarming potential from hive observation, the swarming process, examining hives for behaviour and disease, collection and hiving. This online class is designed to ensure you are ready for the swarming season, to protect your colonies from depletion and encourage healthy queen succession. $60

. This class will not run in 2024 (closed) 2.5hrs Book an online place - enrollment now closed

Natural Queens : For those that have more experience with bees, we explore how to create natural queens using a number of methods. Topics will include natural reproduction, choosing colonies for good genetics, raising queens with minimal impact, splitting and caring for nucleus colonies. $80

. Saturday 23 November 2024 10-12N (closed) Book a place

Learn to Build a Warre Hive

The Warre or people's hive is excellent for natural beekeeping practice. It is easily built and provides an attractive hive in your garden. The hive is becoming increasingly popular and this course introduces you to the principles of the hive, explores how it is managed as a beekeeper, its construction, considerations for the cool Tasmanian climate and some hands on experience in building the hive. The course includes a hive box you get to keep. Plans provided. Carpentry experience is not necessary. Classes at The Firthside Apiary.

these classes are now on hold due to the workload of building Lazutin Hives

Bookings essential. Limited to 4 participants. $150